I found this on the Diabetes uk web site
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
Blood glucose and urine testing are vital for good self-care in order to maintain optimum control, and to enable the person to make appropriate treatment or lifestyle choices. People with diabetes value being able to monitor their blood glucose levels for themselves as it enables them to better manage their diabetes, take control of their lives and help prevent devastating and potentially costly complications.
However in many parts of the UK people are being deprived of home blood glucose testing equipment and supplies because of postcode prescribing, blanket bans or restrictions imposed by Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) or through clinicians’ inadequate knowledge of diabetes or the individual patient’s needs.
Diabetes UK believes that people with diabetes should have access to home blood glucose monitoring based on individual clinical need and not on their, or the NHS’s ability to pay. It is counter productive the try and save the NHS money in this way. There are considerable cost savings to be made from supporting self management, by reducing the frequency of support needed from the NHS and preventing people with diabetes from needing hospital treatment either with diabetes emergencies or long term complications.
Restrictions on the type and numbers of testing strips is unacceptable as this does not meet individual needs and circumstances. National guidelines and frameworks set the standards of care that people with diabetes should expect and prioritise information, education, training and support to enable people to manage their diabetes themselves.
If you agree that such restrictions are wrong, or have had difficulty in accessing testing strips please join our campaign to get this issue recognized.
Over 300 people took part in our first e-campaign on access to blood testing strips. If you are still experiencing difficulties,
please email the Diabetes Campaigners Network.
[email protected]
